WITNESS: In the Spirit of Being Celebrates the Music of Africa

Rich in musical sounds for voices and drums, VocalEssence opens this year's WITNESS concert with the music of South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon and Ghana. This wonderful combination of songs about work, praise and animals is sung in the dialects of Luo, Xhosa, Zulu, Kamba and Cameroon. Award-winning composer Hannibal Lokumbe (Dear Mrs. Parks, WITNESS 2007) returns to VocalEssence for this premiere of his ambitious new composition, In the Spirit of Being. Be part of a transformative journey as he lifts up your spirit and shows us all the miracle of life. Joining the VocalEssence Chorus and conductor Philip Brunelle will be the percussion ensemble from Macalester College and their director, Sowah Mensah. The opening procession of the concert will highlight the seldom-seen royal drums of Ghana.

This was just not my overall favorite performance. Having said that..there were exceptional moments from the choral ensemble that would rate as the best I have ever heard. The Zulu piece was also exceptional.